Summary

Since 2020, the private non-contractual school sector in France has seen a significant growth trend. In 2021, there were 57,059 pupils enrolled in non-contractual primary schools and 31,378 in secondary schools, with the Paris region exhibiting a particularly high concentration, particularly in the Académie de Versailles. This segment of private education generated approximately 707.5 million euros in revenue from enrollments alone, with prices ranging from 3,000 to 15,000 euros per month. Despite the overall decrease in general, technological, and vocational high school courses, the number of pupils in non-contractual education increased by 44% between 2016 and 2021.

The share of pupils attending non-contractual schools also rose notably from 0.2% in 2010 to 0.9% in 2021. Furthermore, the Montessori and Steiner methods gained popularity, each comprising a significant portion of newly established schools in 2023. The sector includes a diverse range of institutions, including secular, religious, bilingual, international, and those catering to specific needs such as sports or the arts. The regulatory framework has tightened controls, with inspections required and certain qualifications necessary for running and teaching in non-contract schools.

Despite the availability of scholarships, there is a marked social disparity in private school enrollment, reflected in limited social mixing and a higher proportion of students from privileged backgrounds.

Growth and Demand Trends in France's Non-Contract Private School Market

France's private education sector has witnessed a notable trend towards non-contract private schools, underscoring a growing demand for alternative pedagogies. As of the latest statistics, there are approximately between 2.9 and 3.2 million students enrolled across various types of private schools, with non-contract establishments becoming a significant player in the educational landscape. While non-contract private schools cater to the entire education range, from nursery to secondary level, there is an observable rise specifically in the primary and middle school segments. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of students in non-contractual pre-school and elementary education has soared from around 20,000 to close to 60,000. The middle school segment also displayed a robust growth of over 150% during the same period.

Another trend in private non-contractual education is their role as an alternative option for students facing academic challenges. These schools offer different selection criteria and pedagogical approaches that seem to appeal to parents and students. In terms of geographical distribution, there is a notably high concentration of non-contract schools in metropolitan areas, particularly in the Paris region. Financials show that non-contract schools generated considerable revenue from enrolments alone, estimated to be quite substantial, ranging between 531 million and 1.061 billion euros. The average fees for these schools vary widely, from around 3,000 to 15,000 euros per month, suggesting a market with diverse offerings that can cater to a range of financial capabilities.

Contrary to the steady across-the-board growth in demand, however, the secondary education segment reveals a more nuanced picture where general and technological lycée courses, as well as vocational high school courses, have seen a decrease over time. From a socio-professional perspective, private schools demonstrate a lack of significant social mix, with higher enrolling rates from more affluent backgrounds. This may be due partly to higher schooling costs, though scholarship opportunities are available to provide some relief to eligible families.

The increase in the number of non-contract schools, estimated at an impressive rate of 97% since 2012, alongside the shifts in enrolment rates across various levels of education, paints a picture of a dynamic and evolving market. This sector is evidently responding to the multifaceted demands of French families seeking alternatives for their children's education.

Key Players in France's Non-Contractual Private Education Sector

The French private school market, particularly the non-contractual segment, is characterized by a diverse range of educational philosophies and pedagogies. This richness in educational approaches is embodied by several notable institutions that cater to different needs and preferences within the French education system.

**Ecole m**, with campuses in Paris 19, Paris 15, and Clichy (92), exemplifies private education that adheres to the national curriculum but maintains its independence from state contracts. This school represents the secular segment that follows the standard educational programs but within a non-contractual framework.

**Moderato Montessori** in Pantin (93) and **La Maison des Enfants** in Castelnau-le-Lez (34) are part of the growing Montessori movement. They incorporate Maria Montessori's philosophy, focusing on child-centered learning and autonomy. Montessori schools such as these are often chosen for their unique educational approach, which allows children to explore and learn at their own pace using specialized materials.

In the market of alternative pedagogies, **Ma Kindy**, **Ecole Caméléon** (69), and **La Maison des aventuriers du savoir** (59) operate under the Steiner method, emphasizing holistic development and creativity through a curriculum rich in artistic, scientific, and manual work.

**Diagonale Paris / Lyon**, **Eurécole** (75), and **APEX 2100 International Ski Academy** (73) represent the sport-studies segment, blending traditional academic education with high-level athletic training, catering to students with serious sporting aspirations alongside their scholastic goals.

**Le Zéphir School** (58) targets the arts and entertainment sector, offering an educational curriculum that combines traditional subjects with a strong focus on artistic expression and performance.

Religious schools, such as **Sainte Thérèse**, **Institution Saint Dominique** (88), and **Saint Jean Bosco** (76), offer non-contractual education with a religious ethos, mainly Catholic. These schools often benefit from community support, allowing them to offer more affordable education.

The group **Espérance Banlieues** owns several schools, including the **Jules Verne School** (72), **Cours Colibri** (51), and **Cours Les Constellations** (31), illustrating the trend toward secular, religiously unaffiliated institutions.

**Al Andalus - Groupe is a muslin non-contractual education school.

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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and scope of study

A private school in France is one that has not signed an agreement with the state to carry out its activities. The establishment receives no state subsidy, but receives private donations and charges admission to its school.the school's autonomy is symbolized by a high degree of autonomy in setting school curricula and freedom in teaching methods.

Non-contractual private education is a segment of private education in France, with just under three million students. Non-contractual private schools cover the entire range, from nursery to secondary school. Three other segments are present, including private education under contract with the State, which is by far the largest in France, and is often linked to Catholic education.

In 2015, there were more than a thousand non-contracted schools, a third of which were religious in nature: the others were bilingual schools, schools following the Montessori method and schools using the Steiner method. the Montessori method encourages children's autonomy and initiative, with mixed ages and an educator as guide, while the Steiner method emphasizes creaativity and artistic activities, differing in its absence of academic knowledge before the age of seven and exclusively oral lessons, as well as in its division into age groups.. These fee-paying schools have a higher baccalaureate pass rate than public and contracted high schools (95% vs. 88%), and are mainly located in the Paris region.

Overall, there is a clear upward trend in the number of non-contracted schools, which are becoming an increasingly important part of the French educational landscape.Between 2015 and 2021, the number of non-contracted collèges/lycées rose by 16%, while the number of schools increased by 23%.

Private non-contract schools declare their openness, but opposition is possible; they do not follow public curricula, manage the recruitment of their teachers, are inspected, and students must pass an exam to transfer to public education.

1.2 France's private school market builds on its success

For over ten years, the success of private schools outside the contractual framework has been illustrated by the opening of more and more establishments. In ****, **,*** pupils were enrolled in these alternative primary and secondary schools, representing just *.*% of all schoolchildren.

Enrolment of French students France, ****, in Source: ****

However, the number of ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 Typology of demand

Elementary and pre-elementary pupils enrolled in non-contractual schools France, ****, in units and percentages Ministry of Education

It has been observed that the number of pupils enrolled in non-contracted classes declines steadily from the very early section to the CM* level. In fact, the number of pupils rises from **** in the very ...

2.2 Trends in private non-contractual schooling

growth in pupil numbers in non-contractual pre-school and elementary education France, ****-****, in units Ministry of Education

The number of pupils in non-contractual education rose steadily between **** and ****, from ***** to ***** pupils, an increase of ***%. This growth is particularly marked between **** and ****, with an increase of **%, and between **** and ****, with an increase ...

2.2 Out-of-contract private schools as an alternative to a difficult school career

Non-contractual private schools have the advantage of being differently selective and welcoming students with learning difficulties or who have dropped out of school, offering them an alternative pedagogy.

At primary level, schools are chosen for their different pedagogical approach; on the other hand, "choosing a non-contracted secondary school is often the ...

2.3 Private schools by socio-professional category

Despite the possibility of obtaining a scholarship to study in a private school (***), there is little social mix in private schools. in Paris, only *% of schoolchildren from disadvantaged socio-professional backgrounds attend private schools, despite the fact that **% of them live in the capital.

At national level, the situation is less extreme, ...

3 Market structure

3.1 Growth in the number of non-contract private schools in France

Overall, there is a clear upward trend in the number of non-contracted schools, which are becoming an increasingly important part of the French educational landscape.

Trend in the proportion of private schools without contract among all schools France, ****-****, in percent Ministry of Education

Between **** and ****, the share of collèges/lycées ...

3.2 Bilingual and international schools

Bilingual schools are becoming more and more common in France, and this trend has not escaped the so-called alternative schools.

These schools offer language courses (***) alongside French, and welcome students from kindergarten to lycée. Most of the time, groups are small to enable students to receive personalized support and to ...

3.3 Non-contracted private religious schools

According to the chart below, the majority of private schools with no contract are secular schools, offering no religious education whatsoever. These schools may follow the Steiner or Montessori methods, or offer bilingual teaching.

Type of private school France, ****, as % of total Source: ****

Among these **% of schools attached to a religion, ...

3.4 Focus on the Montessori and Steiner methods

Among secular schools, the breakdown by type is as follows:

Number of non-contract secular schools by type France, ****, in Source: ****

* : The so-called active pedagogies correspond to the Nuyts, Freinet, positive discipline methods, or even the most famous Steiner method

** : Specific target groups include disabled, gifted and dyslexic pupils.

Breakdown ...

3.5 Geographical distribution

Non-contract private primary school enrollment by academy at the start of the **** school year

[***]

Non-contractual private secondary school enrollment by academy at the start of the **** school year

[***]

There is a particularly high concentration in the Paris region, especially in the Académie de Versailles.

4 Offer analysis

4.1 Typology of private non-contract schools in France

Number of non-contract establishments by type France, ****, in units Ministry of Education

The majority of these establishments are schools (***).

The higher the level, the fewer these establishments are found: they are mainly designed for younger children.

4.2 Non-contractual preparatory classes

in Paris, a number of non-contracted private prep schools, such as Intégrale, Ipécom Paris, Ipésup and Prépa Commercia, achieve excellent results in competitive business school exams. Although these schools do not recruit via Parcoursup and are expensive (***), they stand out for their freedom in organizing programs and ...

4.3 Prices for non-contracted private schools

In terms of price, there are several varieties linked to several criteria. In fact, private schools without a contract are companies (***), so they are responsible for recruiting the teachers themselves and paying their salaries, and are therefore more expensive. [***]

It is possible for families to receive financial aid for their children's ...

5 Regulations

5.1 Regulatory framework for non-contracted private schools

State contract

In France, it is only after five years of operation that a private school can become "sous-contrat". At the end of this period, a school may apply to remain "hors-contrat", but is free to teach in an alternative mode that allows it to choose its programs and timetables. [***]

Teacher ...

5.2 A few rules to follow

Non-contractual private establishments must declare their opening to the academic rector, but their opening is automatic after * months, unless the authorities object. Opposition to opening may be based on various criteria, including reasons of public order, the nationality of the person opening the establishment, criminal convictions, teaching capacity, and others. Non-contractual ...

List of charts

  • Schooling for French pupils
  • New private schools opened each year
  • Pupil numbers in non-contractual pre-elementary and elementary schools
  • Student numbers in non-contract private secondary education
  • Student numbers in non-contract private education (primary+secondary)
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Latest news

Grandes Ecoles: Galileo takes a stake in EMLyon and goes back on the offensive - 19/12/2022
  • Galileo Global Education: 200,000 students trained every year on 106 campuses in 15 countries
  • Galileo, Europe's leading private education group
  • EMLyon aims to accelerate its international expansion and plans to buy other schools
  • Galileo joins supervisory board with €50 million capital increase
Lepermislibre goes public - 01/02/2023
  • Company founded in 2014
  • Raised €6 million
  • sales of €14.8 million by 2022
  • 80 employees
  • 900 freelance teachers
  • 110.000 candidates in 2022
  • Tariffs 30% lower than those of a driving school
  • Commission between 18 and 25%
With 100 million euros in its pocket, Ornikar is seeking to assert itself in the car insurance market. - 22/04/2021
  • Online driving school Ornikar offers car insurance and new services such as additional training.
  • More than 35% of driving test candidates in France use Ornikar's services.
  • To diversify its business, the company has inaugurated a car insurance service.
  • The start-up has raised a total of 146 million euros since 2013.

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

La maison des enfants
International School of Nantes
Diagonale
Ma Kindy
Institution Saint-Dominique (Association)
Galileo Global Éducation System
Le Permis Libre
Ornikar
Ecole Saint Pie X
Hattemer
Hautefeuille
Les Pinsons

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